• Conference Scenario

Ace Your First Parent Teacher Conference

Scenario-Based E-Learning

Audience: New teachers in a regional elementary school
Responsibilities: Needs Analysis, Action Mapping, Script Writing, Storyboarding, Visual Design, Prototype Development, Animation
Tools Used: Articulate Storyline, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe XD, Twine, Adobe Photoshop

Experience the Full Project

Project Overview

I designed this concept project to help new teachers communicate effectively during parent-teacher conferences. The potential client is a regional elementary school. Several new teachers received complaints or poor feedback from parents after their first conference. Moreover, the district was losing students because of effective communication. They hope to train their first-year teachers on how to communicate appropriately and effectively in conferences to establish a supportive and collaborative relationship, ultimately improving students’ achievement and increasing student retention rates.

I identified the problem as teachers’ lack of communication skills when passing negative feedback to parents and discussing solutions. I proposed a scenario-based e-learning solution to let teachers practice conducting a one-on-one parent-teacher conference in a risk-free environment. This project will help teachers gain confidence and skills when communicating students’ struggles and discuss solutions with parents professionally and effectively.

Process

I designed and implemented this project end-to-end. First, I analyze the performance gap and created an action map. Afterward, I wrote a complete text-based storyboard to outline the scenarios. Using Adobe Illustrator, I created visual elements. Then, I generated and iterated scenario mockups with Adobe XD. Developing the final project involved migrating scenario mockups from Adobe XD to Articulate Storyline while animating interactive elements. Throughout the entire process, I collected feedback and incorporated suggestions.

1. Action Mapping

To understand the problem, I consulted SMEs to create an action map. I focused on the actions that the audience (new teachers) would need to perform to close the performance gap. I prioritized five desired actions from the action map, which would effectively improve the users’ performance and meet business goals. The action mapping process helped us focus on the most impactful behaviors for achieving the goal.

2. Text-based Storyboard

After identifying the five high-priority actions, I wrote the script for the scenario. I used Twine to branch the choices and consequences.

To make the scenario immersive, I included three groups of parents as characters to interact with users. Users decide how to communicate with parents by selecting the best path forward from a list of choices.

I also incorporated a mentor character that users can select when they need help. The mentor would reinforce the five priority actions from the action map.

3. Visual Mockup and Visual Storyboard

I used Freepik as a source for vector graphics. Then, I designed visual elements with Adobe Illustrator.

When creating visual mock-ups, I used Adobe XD while applying Mayer's Multimedia Principles throughout the process. This mock-up went through several feedback cycles. After the mockup is finalized, I created a visual storyboard.

4. Interactive Prototype and Full Development

In this stage, I created an interactive prototype using Articulate Storyline. I incorporated “states” and “triggers” when creating interactions. Afterward, I designed animations.

To increase user engagement, I designed a “meeting agenda checklist”, which serves as a progress indicator to show users their progress in the course.

I shared the prototype with stakeholders for review and to collect feedback. When finalizing the prototype, I developed the entire project.

5. Job-Aid Creation

I also created a job-aid in Adobe Illustrator, with the same visual style. I incorporated the job-aid in the last scene, highlighting the five prioritized actions in this e-learning. Audiences can download the job-aid to their devices or print it out to use it as a cheat sheet during real parent-teacher conference situations. The job-aid will help teachers transfer what they learned to the job.

Results and Takeaway

After developing the entire project, I shared it with key stakeholders. They commented on the clean and playful visual style, the engaging experience, and the creative way of using a meeting agenda as a progress indicator.

As an instructional designer, I am passionate about exploring and learning through my creative journey of building better user experiences. In this project, I extended my skills in designing and implementing eLearning materials with authoring tools. While creating the interactive mentor selection, I gained more experience and confidence using advanced Storyline features like variables and conditions, as well as with states, triggers, and layers. These features led to a more elegant implementation.

Overall, I’m looking forward to applying these skills in my future projects.